Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-12-29
TO INVADE OKLAHOMA.
Boomers" Aiming For the Fray.
Thousands Resolve to March, With
Guns in Their Hands, Into the
Country About April IA
New Society in South
ern Kansas.

Word comes from Wichita, Kan, that g
new oath-bound society, which has for It's
object the opening of Oklahoma to set
Element, is gaining members rapidly
there and through Southern Kansas. The
organization Is headed by some of the
most prominent and highly respected
citizens in this section. Captain w. B.
Crouch, the leader Of the "boome-s >
and Colonel E. c. Cole, of this city, are
active members in the new movement
Some very sensational information was
obtained from Colonel Cole to-day.
He has just returned from four week s.
visit to Oklahoma. He says that the ter
ritory has number of settlers now, and
that April 1 next it will be fully settled
up. If the present Congress should fail
to pass bill declaring the country open
to settlement then the members of this
society propose to enter the territory by
force. 1t is proposed to raise 500 arms
and marsh upon the country, and SHOULD
the government attempt to use the army
to eject the settlers then they will fight.
Captain Crouch is in Washington, labor
ing with Congress in the hope of Undue
ing the government to peaceably open
the country, but if his work proves fruit.
less, trouble and even bloodshed may he
expected.
The society is known as the "Oklahoma
Settlers Association" and already numb
ers great many hundred members. A
fee of $25 is required to become mem
Der, and a guarantee is given that the
money will be returned if the settler does
not obtain 160 acres of land when the ex-
petition reaches the territory. The work
ings of the society are secret so far as
the exact date for the descent upon Okla
homa is concerned and the principal
intentions of the order. Sub associations
are to be organized throughout the entire
West, and then at a given time all mem
bers are to meet at some point and get
ready to move.
Although the exact date for an advance
is not known it is generally concluded to
be about April 1. Several members of
the society were seen to. day and they all
disclaim any intention of violating the
law. They say that the country is pub
lie property and they have right to set
tie on and improve it. An ex-union sol
der who is a member remarked that they
would march upon the country under the
stars and stripes and claim protection
from the old flag. If they be attacked,
he said, then the settlers would not be
to blame for the results.
The grim and enthusiastic determin-
alton to settle this question is more not
iceable upon the movements of the pro-
jectors of this scheme than characterized
any of the previous expeditions to Okla
homa. Again and again have the settlers
of the coveted country been elected, and
the leaders arrested. Nota case has ever
been brought to trial. however, but eacn
time stern repremand not to trespass
upon the territory has been given by the
Federal courts. Then the prisoners
would be dismissed. The Iearders of the
"boomers" have made up their minds that
they must go prepared to defend them
selves and this line of policy will be car
rie6 out. The organization of the secret
society has heen the result.